[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 149 (Tuesday, August 4, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 41590-41591]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-20714]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Notice of Inventory Completion for Native American Human Remains 
and Associated Funerary Objects from New Mexico and Texas in the 
Possession of the Carlsbad Museum and Art Center, Carlsbad, NM

AGENCY: National Park Service, DOI.

ACTION: Notice.

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    Notice is hereby given in accordance with provisions of the Native 
American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), 43 CFR 10.9, 
of the completion of an inventory of human remains and associated 
funerary objects from New Mexico and Texas in the possession of the 
Carlsbad Museum and Art Center, Carlsbad, NM.
    A detailed assessment of the human remains was made by Carlsbad 
Museum and Art Center and University of New Mexico Archaeology/
Osteology Lab professional staff in consultation with representatives 
of the Fort Sill Apache Tribe, the Mescalero Apache Tribe, and the 
Jicarilla Apache Tribe.
    In 1934 or 1935, human remains representing a minimum of two 
individuals were recovered from Williams Cave, Culberson County, TX 
during excavations conducted by the University of Pennsylvania. No 
known individuals were identified. The five associated funerary objects 
include an antelope hide bag and pieces of cord and twine.
    In 1934 or 1935, human remains representing two individuals were 
recovered from the Guadalupe Mountains, TX during excavations conducted 
by the University of Pennsylvania. No known individuals were 
identified. The one associated funerary object consists of a large 
basket with the bottom and sides broken.
    In 1934 or 1935, human remains representing one individual were 
recovered form the Guadalupe Mountains, TX during excavations conducted 
by the University of Pennsylvania. No known individual was identified. 
The one associated funerary object consists of a burial basket with the 
bottom broken, small round woven object, straw or grass in bottom of 
the basket.
    In 1934 or 1935, human remains representing one individual were 
recovered from the Guadalupe Mountains, TX during excavations conducted 
by the University of Pennsylvania. No known individual was identified. 
The ten associated funerary objects include a cradleboard made of long 
reeds bound with larger twigs and fastened with twine or rope, multiple 
strands of cotton-like yarn woven together, and a hide infant bonnet.
    Based on the associated funerary objects, these human remains have 
been identified as Native American. Based on the form and styles of the 
basketry, cradleboard, and manner of interments, these individuals have 
been identified as Apache. Consultation with representatives of the 
Fort Sill Apache Tribe, the Mescalero Apache Tribe, and the Jicarilla 
Apache Tribe indicates that

[[Page 41591]]

location, material culture, and manner of interment are all consistent 
with traditional Apache practice. Further, based on oral history and 
historical documents, the Guadalupe Mountains have been identified as 
having been occupied by the Mescalero Apache during the historic 
period.
    Based on the above mentioned information, officials of the Carlsbad 
Museum and Art Center have determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 
(d)(1), the human remains listed above represent the physical remains 
of a minimum of six individuals of Native American ancestry. Officials 
of the Carlsbad Museum and Art Center have also determined that, 
pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 (d)(2), the 17 objects listed above are 
reasonably believed to have been placed with or near individual human 
remains at the time of death or later as part of the death rite or 
ceremony. Lastly, officials of the Carlsbad Museum and Art Center have 
determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 (e), there is a relationship 
of shared group identity which can be reasonably traced between these 
Native American human remains and associated funerary objects and the 
Mescalero Apache Tribe.
    This notice has been sent to officials of the Fort Sill Apache 
Tribe, the Mescalero Apache Tribe, and the Jicarilla Apache Tribe. 
Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes itself to be 
culturally affiliated with these human remains and associated funerary 
objects should contact Pat Jablonsky, Director, Carlsbad Museum and Art 
Center, 418 West Fox Street, Carlsbad, NM 88220; telephone: (505) 887-
0276, before September 3, 1998. Repatriation of the human remains and 
associated funerary objects to the Mescalero Apache Tribe  may begin 
after that date if no additional claimants come forward.
Dated: July 14, 1998.
Michele Aubry,
Acting Departmental Consulting Archeologist,
Archeology and Ethnography Program.
[FR Doc. 98-20714 Filed 8-3-98; 8:45 am]
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